How to Hide an Engagement Ring Box

Planning a proposal is an exciting yet potentially nerve-wracking experience. One crucial element of the proposal is hiding the engagement ring until you’re ready. Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal at home or want to hide the ring while traveling, knowing how to conceal the engagement ring creatively is key.  

Getting the Ring

First, you must secretly acquire the engagement ring. Here are a few considerations: 

• Delivery Timing: Schedule the engagement ring delivery for a time when you know your partner won’t be home. Make sure to schedule it during a large window of time as delivery timing isn’t always exact. If you have a security camera, this might not be the best option for you. 
• In-Store Pickup: Opt for picking up the engagement ring from a store location or a secure shipping center if feasible.  
• Alternative Address: Have the engagement ring delivered to a trusted friend or family member’s home for safekeeping. 

Where to Hide the Engagement Ring

Be thoughtful about where you hide the ring in the time leading up to the proposal. Consider these 10 clever spots: 

1. In a hollowed-out book. Smart and sentimental, this is an excellent way to keep the ring hidden at the back of the bookshelf – and is even better if it’s a book you two both love (don’t forget to purchase a second copy after you cut it).  
2. In a suit pocket or out-of-season clothing. If you have, for example, a large winter coat at the back of your closet, put the ring box inside one of the inner pockets.  
3. In a pair of socks. We suggest putting the ring box into one of the socks, then wrapping the other around — and making sure it’s at the back of your drawer. 
4. On a high shelf. This could be in the kitchen, in the garage, or anywhere else that’s not easy to reach without a ladder or a second pair of hands. 
5. In your gym bag. Unless your partner has a habit of sharing or cleaning out your gym bag, this option is a safe bet – the same applies to golf stand bag or other sport bags. 
6. In a holiday decoration box. Pick whichever holiday is farthest away, and tuck the ring box in the middle of the decorations to ensure it won’t be found. 
7. In a pair of shoes. Pick a pair you don’t wear often and hide the ring box in the toe of one of the shoes – boots work best for this!  
8. Underneath a piece of furniture. If your partner is the detective type, we suggest stealthily taping the ring box to the bottom of your couch, bed, or other piece of furniture. Just be wary of spots that can be easily hit with a vacuum or too easily spotted from various vantage points around the house.  
9. In a puzzle or game box. If you and your partner don’t play games frequently, hiding the ring in a game or puzzle box can be a great hiding spot.  
10. In a safety deposit box. If security is a concern alongside the possibility of your partner finding the ring, we suggest opening a safety deposit box with your bank. Typically, they can be opened and closed relatively quickly.  

Where to Hide the Engagement Ring During the Proposal

Unless you propose at home, keeping the engagement ring hidden before the proposal could be tricky. Consider these ideas:  

If the Ring is in the Box

1. In your backpack. If you typically carry a backpack or purse, this option is the most straightforward – just put the box at the bottom of the bag and hang onto it while you get on one knee. 
2. In a camera, beach, or picnic bag. Use the details of your proposal plan to determine what type of bag or basket makes sense for you to hide the ring in (for example, you probably wouldn’t bring a picnic basket to a rooftop hotel bar, but you might bring a camera bag to snap some pics of the view).  
3. In your pocket. Though this option can be risky, it’s often the best way to pull off a true surprise. We recommend picking an article of clothing that has an internal pocket and selecting a ring box that’s not too bulky so your partner doesn’t feel it when giving you a hug. 

If the Ring is Not in the Box

1. In your sunglasses case. This works especially well if you typically wear sunglasses – your partner won’t think twice as you pull out your case to put them on and instead drop to one knee and present the ring.  
2. In a money belt. These are often purchased for overseas travel but double as an excellent way to hide a ring. Wear it underneath your clothes with the ring in a zippered pocket and no one will know! 
3. Inside a greeting card. Many cards have small slots for checks or gift cards – these make excellent spots to slip a ring into. Share a tender moment with your partner by writing them a note – then tell them there’s an extra gift inside the card.  

Where to Hide the Engagement Ring When Traveling 

Thinking of proposing while on a trip? It’s a great idea — but traveling with an engagement ring can require extra caution. If you’re driving, we recommend you don’t leave the engagement ring in an unattended car for extended periods of time to prevent potential theft. If you’re flying, we recommend hiding the engagement ring in your personal item or carry-on bag in case your checked baggage gets lost. The engagement ring box itself shouldn’t warrant a bag check during security, but it could be a good idea to tape a note on the box to let TSA know there’s an engagement ring inside so TSA can conduct the search covertly if your bag does need to go through an open search.  

Here are a few hiding spots that could work whether you’re driving or flying: 

1. In a mini safe or lockbox. Small and somewhat affordable, bringing your own mini safe when travelling is becoming more common. Many hotels also offer safes within the room, and it’s always best to hide any valuables there. Either way, make sure your partner doesn’t know the code! 
2. In a toiletries bag. An excellent way to hide the ring from your partner is to put it into an empty travel-sized bottle and stash it with your other toiletries.  
3. Inside a travel pillow. Most travel pillows have a zipper – if the ring box is small enough, fit it inside, or put the ring into a plastic bag and hide it in the lining of the pillow.  
4. Inside an electric gadget box. Think an electric razor, toothbrush, or other gadget – simply hang onto the box and bring it along with the ring inside. 
5. Inside your laptop case. Even if your partner sees the ring box’s bump in the case, they’ll likely assume it’s a charger – so this is a great way to secretly stash the ring, especially as cases often have protective coverings.  

With these creative hiding spots, you can rest easy knowing your engagement ring will remain a secret until your perfect moment arrives. Good luck and happy proposing!  

Still trying to plan your proposal? Check out our proposal guides: Marriage Proposal 101, Best Places to Propose in the USA, Valentine’s Day Proposal Guide, Christmas Proposal Guide, New Year’s Proposal Guide